The Strategic Planning Process - Breaking with the Past - Strategic Planning 1

Tutor: Nick Jarrett-Kerr  CPD Hours: 26 hours Duration: 3 months

Course Cost: £1395

This is the first in a series of three courses on strategic planning. Successful strategy needs a proper understanding of the options available to the firm, as well as an understanding of the aspirations of partners and overall firm goals. It also requires a thorough understanding of the marketplace in which the firm operates and the competitive forces which affect the firm. This course will guide the participant through the essential research and preparation which is necessary to enable the firm or department to make the right strategic choices. The course will give the participant the strategic tools and methodologies to help the participant gain strategic insight and to enable the firm or unit to make the right strategic choices to break away from the past whilst continuing to benefit from past success.

This course is the first of three in a series on strategic and business planning and will help to resolve these typical business problems:

• What exactly is strategy and why do we need to plan?
• What do our partners want to be famous for?
• What services do we typically perform for our clients?
• What is our level of skills and expertise for the work we do, or would like to do?
• What is the client demand for such services?
• Who are our primary competitors and how do we compare?
• How do we analyse our client base and why should we do this?
• What is the best way to assess the risks, threats and challenges that we might face?
• What scenarios (best case/worse case etc) should we take into account?
• Why should we change what we have always done?

This course will give you the tools and know how to create a strategic plan for the firm or unit including how to

• Articulate the initial ‘misty’ vision of the firm or unit for its future,

            based on research and analysis of stakeholders’ capabilities and ambition

            based on the extent to which stakeholders are likely to be able to change

            likely to lead to a prosperous and successful future

• Define the key opportunities and threats which face the firm or unit
• Use a variety of analytical tools and methodologies to help you plan
• Understand and identify the strengths and weaknesses of competitors
• Evaluate the current market positioning of the firm or unit and the opportunities and choices available to it
• Summarise the outcomes of the market and internal research and analysis that provides a rationale for the next steps

Download an application form here